# NTSB NYC91LA118: Cessna P210, N90TL, Olean, NY, April 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1991, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Olean, NY
- Coordinates: 42.079849, -78.429496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0798&lon=-78.4295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA118

## Probable cause

IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE AND THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A NOSE HIGH TOUCHDOWN ON THE MAIN WHEELS AND DRAGGED THE TAIL SKID ON THE RUNWAY.  THE TOUCHDOWN WAS HARD, AND WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL STRUCK THE RUNWAY, IT COLLAPSED.  THE PILOT ATTRIBUTED THE MISJUDGED LANDING TO LACK OF CONSISTENCY IN HIS RECENT FLYING EXPERIENCE AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR A DOWNDRAFT ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90TL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90TL), registered now, S/N P21000206, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000206
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P5B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Goode Aircraft Sales
- Registered owner: Goode Aircraft Sales
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 22G, ELYRIA, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OLE, Olean, runway 4, 4,699 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 465 total, 170 in this make and model, 318 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910418011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910418011519A), Apr 18, 1991: Cessna P210N, Olean, NY, Substantial damage. Dragged tail landing and came down hard on mains.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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